ABOLITION BILL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1243, 25 September 1875, Page 10

ABOLITION BILL.

Clause 15: Amendment in first clause, moved by the Treasurer, to provide that funds accruing from sale 3of land and agricultural leases in goldfields districts are not to be con ridered as goldfields revenue, but go to the land fund, was agreed to. The last clause was struck out, and the following amendment, moved by Mr O'Conor, and accepted by the Government, was inserted in lieu thereof, "Provided that after making the deductions herein provided, the balance shall be held, for the purposes of this Act, to be general rates, and shall be paid to the public account, and a separate account thereof kept. Such balance snail be paid over < to # the governing body or bodies of the district from which such revenue has been received, together with any proportionate endowment which may accrue from the land rate, and from the consolidated revenue to be computed in the manner provided in the nineteenth and twentieth sections hereof.

Mr Bradshaw then moved the following additions to the clause, as amended: — "The governing body to be elected solely by miners who have held miners' rights or "business licenses for not less than three months previous to such election.

After discussion, a division was called for, resulting in a majority of 22 against it. Aye 3, 13 ; noes, 35. Sir George Grey moved, as a further addition to the amended clause — "Provided that one month after the passing of this Act the Goldfields Act, 1870, and Amendment Act, 1872, shall be deemed to be repealed, and thereupon the export duty on gold shall absolutely cease and determine." The honourable member moved thia amendment because he thought it unfair to impose export duty on a product which was obtained with great toil and difficulty. He thought an export duty on wool would be fair.

The Treasurer stated the Government would oppose the amendment Sir George Grey should withdraw his amendment, and Government would give him an opportunity to bring In and discuss the Bill for repealing Goldfields Act which imposes export duty. Sir George Grey declined to withdraw. Mr Macandrew supported the amendment. The goldfields revenue was so small (only about £12,000} that it was not worth any longer bothering about. Mr Stafford said he was not sure he would not support the amendment, but he thought the carrying it would be no advantage to the goldfields, for by the addition to the clause just passed the governing bodies of goldfields districts would receive £2 to every LI raised by gold duty. Mr Shepherd, of Otago, proposed in place of one month after passing this Act the words should be '' after the coming into operation of this Act."

The Treasurer said the repeal of the gold dutywould be a Keriouß injury to the goldfields. It might help a ftw large companies, but the miner would gain nothing. His wages would not be one penny higher. Where (he asked) would the money come from for roads, bush tracks, bridges, &c, in the goldfields ? If the two amendments were withdrawn he would give Sir George Grey an opportunity of bringing down a Bill to-morrow repealing the duty on gold, when the question could be discussed on ifcs merits. He considered the present time inopportune for doing so. The House rose for refreshment at 5.35.

September 22nd. In the Legislative Council to-day, the following BQIb were introduced and read a first time : —Daniel David's Land Act, Act to enable Thomas Russell to relinquish certain hinds in Fiako district and the Governor to grant other lands in exchange, an Act to authorise the Governor to exchange with Frederick Whitaker land in Piako district, the Wellington Rivers Act 1875.

Bills passed.— The Goldfields Act, Pollution of Rivers Bill, with amendments, and Oamaru Gas Works BilL Some discussion ensued upon the Otago Waste Lands Bill while in Committee, the point being clause 4, selling land on deferred payments. On the motion of Sir John Richardson, progress was reported and the Council rose.

On the House resuming at 7.30 last evening, Sir George Grey, replying to the Treasurer's statement that the miner would not be benefited by the repeal of the gold duty, showed that at least each miner would be relieved to the extent of 4d a day, which meant ft loaf of

bread to each miner and miner's child. Would that be nothing ? He considered that now we could do away with this taxation, we ought at oace to do so.

The Trea urer replied, saying that now both the Houses and the country knew what value to put on any statement made by the honourable member (Sir George Grey). He utterly denied having said anything whatever of the kind attributed to him by Sir George Grey, viz., that each man repays 4d a day as gold duty tax. What he said was that it would only benefit a few large companies, and that only to the extent of about lid a day per man, therefore the pathetio picture of a miner covered with sweat, coming from his labour to his starving children, and finding they had lost a loaf a day, was all nonsense. He repeated in all sincerity that it was solely with a view to the interest of goldfields that he proposed the measure, for he was sure that House would never consent to aubsidise goldfields and not require them to pay their quota towards the increasing expenditure required for public works in the district.

Mr Shepherd said eveiy gold miner he was sure was in favour of repeal of gold duty, while, at the same time, he would not object to be taxed for roads, &c. A miner would rather pay LI extra to the Customs than pay this gold duty. The honourable gentleman hoped Sir George Grey would accept his amendment. Mr Harrison denied there was any universal cry against the abolition of the gold duty. He concurred in all said by the Treasurer. Sir George Grey's amendment, on a division, was negatived by a majority of 17 — Ayes, 22 ; noes, 39.

Mr Shepherd's amendment was negatived by a majority of 35 — Ayes, 14 ; noes, 49. The clause as previously amended was then passed. Clause 16. — Mr Reeves proposed the following amendment, to be inserted before the first sub-section :—": — " The Colonial Treasurer shall, for the purpose of providing several Boards of Works hereafter to be constituted with the means of carrying on public works within their districts, from time to time pay over to the said boards one gross fourth part of so much of the revenue as shall accrue from the sale and leasing of Crown lands within the several provincial districts of the Colony in which such boards exist. One gross fourth part of so much of the revenue as shall accrue from the sale and leasing of Crown lands within the several Pro* vincial districts of the Colony in which such Boards of Works are or may be constituted." The honourable member said the amendment was so simple he hoped it would recommend itself to the Government.

Mr Reeves's amendment was put, and negatived by a majority of 17. Aye3, l4 ; noes, 31. Mr Montgomery moved for the insertion at the end of the first sub section, " provided that in such debts and liabilities the railways constructed out of Colonial funds are not included."

Negatived, on a division, by a majority of ISAyes, 12 ; Noes, 30. Mr Murray moved another amendment, in a speech which apparently wearied members, from the constant cries of " question," ironical cheers, and laughter. The amendment was negatived on the voices. The clause, as amended on the motion of the Government — viz., striking out the words in lines 45 to 49 — was then passed ; and The House adjourned at 3.15 a.m. In Committee on